Summer Challenge- July Results & Goal Setting

So if you recall, I'm in the middle of a Summer Challenge with some blogging & twitter buddies.

Aptly named the "Summer Bipolar Smoked Chiquita Rabbit Trifecta" (by Mr. Funner)

Click the title for the posting of the challenge.

My results for the month of July were pretty good! -4.3lbs! I didn't quite make Mr. Funner's challenge weight loss of 8lbs, but hey, I'll take it! :) Most of my weight loss was accomplished in the last couple weeks of the month by SETTING GOALS! Not goals like "I'm going to lose XX lbs this month", but setting the ACTIONS that will get you where you want to go. Check out Mistress Laura's post on Goal Setting. While my own goal setting was much less structured, I still found it EXTREMELY useful. I will need to refine my goal setting skills, but for the moment, this seems to be working great! Planning out when and where to workout AS WELL as my meal plans was something that I was missing. Posting a week in advance INSTEAD of after, has helped me to stay accountable and keep re-updating the same post. BRILLIANT! :) Seems like something so fundamental, especially with all the reading that I do on fitness/ weight loss and nutrition... I guess I just needed to stop reading about it, and actually DO IT!!

August will prove to be a more challenging month with road trip to Montana for JP's wedding and then wedding part II in town with friends and relatives visiting. Planning will be much more difficult, but will need to be done if I'm going to continue in the right direction.

Have you set your goals for this week? month?

Week of August 3 - GOALS

Last week rocked by simply setting goals and following to a well prepared plan! :) Eating Clean is proving to be the missing link in my little puzzle (DUH!) ...

So here are my goals for this week.

Remember- Your weekly goals should be the actions, not the results!!

I'm pretty good with breakfast, I've been trying to have a shake with frozen berries, spinach, oats and low fat milk which usually is enough to carry me over till lunch.

-Snacks in between meals are a piece of fresh fruit or 0.5oz of almonds.

-I'm going to continue with minimal starchy carbs

Monday- Rest Day >>DONE (he he he EASY!)

Japanese Eggplant & Tofu in Garlic Sauce >>DONE

Tuesdy- run/ walk intervals to work & Back (10k total distance)

Lunch: Leftovers >>DONE

Dinner: Spinach Lasagne (one layer of noodles only)

Wednesday- Smoke's CB TT 10X10 Challenge

Lunch: leftover lasagne

Dinner: Same? (Prepare Turkey Loaf for tomorrow)

Thursday- Kettlebell Practice? (Dare I say it? I hope to have my bells by then. AAAAH! I HATE waiting!)

Lunch: Tuna Sandwhich on whole wheat (from home)

Dinner: Turkey Meatloaf with Spinach, Basil and Arugula with Mashed Sweet potatoes

Friday- Swim Lightning Intervals

Lunch: Leftover Loaf

Dinner: Eat out- Sushi

Saturday- Circuit for time Intermediate BW (FLAB)

Brunch:

Dinner:

Sunday- Run? Kettlebell Practice? (will depend on bells)

Friends arrive from the UK! Will endeavor to Eat Clean while they're here. Pray for my liver friends.

Week of July 27- GOALS

I think I need to set clearer goals each week, so here I go.

I'll update the post as I move along during the week.

Remember- Your weekly goals should be the actions, not the results!!

General:

- plan out dinners each night of the week to avoid take-out/ unplanned crap! Also helps with not wasting food & keeping shopping to a minimum! >> DONE on Sunday!

Monday

Lightning Intervals >>Done!

Fresh Tuna Burgers (no bun) with Light Waldorf Salad >> Done YUM!

Tuesday

Circuit for Time (BW Intermediate- 4 rounds fast as possible)>> Done (kinda) managed 45min interval cardio

Chicken & Navy Bean Soup >> Done

Wednesday

Pulse Pyramid (BW Intermediate) >>FAIL (2hrs of sleep = HORRIBLE)

Left over chicken & Navy Bean Soup >>DONE for LUNCH

Dinner: Quinoa w/ Beef & Veggie Stirfry>> Done with normal portion size!

Thursday

Lightning Intervals >>DONE @ the pool!

Sushi Cheat Meal>> FAIL

Friday-

No workout (leaving for Vegas) >>didn't leave for Vegas and didn't work out. (I don't wanna talk about it :( )

Eat Clean all day - could have laid off the carbs, but mostly ate clean

Saturday-